St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-02-14
GAME TO THE LAST.
Terribly Brutal Fight Between George
hardwood, of New York, and Frank
Stirk, Of Philadelphia.
The Latter Remains in the Ring Fou,
Rounds After His Eyes Are En-
tirely Closed Up.
hardwood Ends the Wicked Work
With Right Handler ON
Stfrk'S Jugular.
Base Ball Shows Signs of Blooming
Very Early in the Spring in
the Northwest.

! CHICAGO, Feb. 13.-One of the most
hotly-contested Skin-glove contests that has
ever taken place in this vicinity occurred
early yesterday morning in vacant barn,
about five miles south of this city, the con-
testants being George hardwood, of New
York, known as 1.-THE Hammer" " and Frank
Stirk. of Philadelphia. both of whom
weighed when stripped in the neighborhood
of $50 pounds. The battle, which was fol-
$500 side and the gate money, was wit.
messed by only about twenty people, beside
the referee and seconds. and they paid SIC
each for the privilege. The party left Chi
cagO about 7:30 a. III. and arrived at theil
| destination about 9 o'clock, where no time
was lost in building a ring and getting
things in proper shape. All being gotten
ready in short order, the men stripped and
| entered the ring, well-known Chicago
sporting man having been selected as ref
cree. After the principals and their Sec
onds had shaken hands ''time'' was called
Round l. hardwood started in to rush
matters and win right off the reel if possible,
while Stirz acted on the defensive. Lard
wood got home with the left on the face and
Strk on the body. hardwood, after long
interval of sparring, again landed his left on
Stirk S eye, the latter countering heavily on
the rlDS. Inc round closed with both SDar-
ring for an opening.
Round 2. Stirk's left eye was putting on
mourning, but otherwise both men looked
fresh. Rushing right at his man, Stirk
landed terrific blow Lardwood's mouth,
knocking him clear through the ropes. Fol-
lowing up his advantage as soon SIS hardwood
was on his feet Stirk again knocked him into
his corner. The New Yorker came up pluck
lily. and, after few feints, the round closed.
The third, fourth fifth and sixth rounds
showed very clever aud scientific work on the
part OF both men, no damage TO speak of
being received by either, both being pretty
well winded.
Round Hardwood, having gotten his Sec
ond wind, seemed inclined to rush matters,
and, go ng straight to his man, he landed
twice with his left on Stirks eye. which was
completely closed, getting away both times
without return. They then came together
with rush, and were clinched when time
was called.
Round S-Stirk's eyes were closing fast. but
he was game as pebble and came up smiling
while George was as fresh as daisy. Going
right to his man, he played with both hands
on Stirk's face like trip hammer, and was
punishing him wickedly when the round
closed.
Round 9-Stirk came up completely blind
and unable to mill, while his opponent was
but little the worse for wear. The hammer
again went to work with both hands on
raw beef. He took the terrible pounding
however, like q wooden man, being knocked
down seven times before the round closed.
Round 10-Stirk's friends and seconds
begged him to throw up the sponge and even
his antagonist asked him to quit as he did
not want to punish so game a man any more,
but Stirk answered mot until you carry me
out of the ring" He was so blind that he
had TO feel his way on the ropes. hardwood
again PLAYED like trip hammer on the poor
fellows face, knocking him down at will, but
each time the plucky fellow came back
the round hardwood struck him fairly on the
chln with terrible right-hand blow. Stirk
fell heavily on his face, cutting his forehead
badly. He had full minute TO recover in,
however, and came gamely up.
Round 1.-THE blood was running down
Stirk's face in streams, and his friends and
seconds again begged him to give up the
fight, but his only answer was ''push me
toward the middle of the ring which his
seconds did. hardwood gave him terrible
right-handed upper cut and he fell like log.
Its all over,' shouted the spectators, but at
the end OF nine seconds he was on his feet.
hardwood now refused to hit him, and both
stood in the ring until ''time' was called,
Stirk still insisting that the fight should go
on.
Round 12-The ''hammer' stood looking at
his man for fully minute, and then landed q
terrible rlght-hunder on Stirks jugular,
Knocking him completely out and the fight
was over.
OTHER SCRAPPERS.
Cardiff has returned to Minneapolis from
Chicago, and although he processes will
ingness to meet either Bradburn or Glover,
no definite arrangements have been made.
Glover however, states that he will soon
send deposit to some paper. which Cardiff
has offered to cover if it is placed in reputa-
BILE hands. In the meantime Bradburn is
after Glover'S scalp, and offers to meet him
on any terms, so the latter need not come
to Minneapolis for match if he thirsts for
gore. Bradburn is at present in st. Louis
his match with Killen having been post
poned. Joe LannOn is the latest to seek a
meeting with Cardiff, and, like the rest, he
has done it through the newspapers.
POINTS FOR PUGILISTS.
1.-THE Referee in the Police Gazette SAYS
of the Minneapolis pugilisr: Patsy Cardiff
must be bereft of his senses if he has decided
not to box any one until he meets Sullivan in
June. Why, just look ut the money he can
make by meeting Jem Smith and John Knit
ton. the eighty-one-tonner, when they arrive
from England. No matter how great a pugil-
ist or boxer Cardiff may be at the present
time, he is one of the three stars in the pugi-
istic armament. He is the only man that
ever faced John L. Sullivan and was the best
man aC tne NIllSfl OF the contest.
In talking of the difference between London
and Queensbury rules, Sullivan says;
There's not much difference. I'd like to see
man lick me by throwing me. I'd let him
do all the throwing he was able 10, and pun ch
!. MS head off while he was trying to do it,
I That s;what. they used to say when Ryan and
me, were getting ready to fight five years ago
TheJ thought he'd lick me by throwing me.
Give me good puncher, and the deuce take
the wrestling.
Isaac Weir, ''the Belfast Spider" and
Tommy Warren are matcheds.to fight for the
featherweIght championship of America,
somewhere i'll New York state, six weeks
from signing articles. The men are to wear
skin-tight gloves. The winner is to receive
$500 and the loser a consolation purse of
S400.
AT the session of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen at Rochester, Feo. 4, q reso-
luton condenning the acton of the John A.
Cameron lodge, of New York, in admitting
John Il. Sullivan, the prize-fighter. into mem
bership in the order was adopted unanim-
ously.
Who is "James Meeker, cha mpion light
weight of Minnesota who was KIN ocked out
at Bangor, Ne, by Mike Daley, of Boston.
NO one seems to know him, and he certainly
never won the championship.
Jem Mace was worth SI75.O0O rot so long
ago, but it has all gone, and his recent bene-
tit in London netted nothing.
According to the latest census there are 2Os
pugillstic champions in America if Carditf be
included
Snllivan's book, entitled ''Sullivan's Life
and Times, Will be published in 1899.
PRE AIRING FOR THE GAME.
Work Begun on the Grounds in
West st. Eaul--What the Players
are Doing.